🏀 BasketballGrade 1Reading: grades 3-4AdditionSubtractionSkip countingPlace valueMissing addends
The Case of the Missing Championship Trophy
The grand championship trophy vanished right before the final buzzer at Hoop City Arena! Someone sneaked onto the court during halftime and swapped the shiny cup with a squeaky rubber duck. Help the referee squad crack the code and find out who took the trophy!
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Signature Move | Lucky Gear | Dribble Hand | Hairstyle | Defensive Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabrina Ionescu | Fast Break Spin | Golden Whistle | Left Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Double Team Trap |
| Kevin Durant | Alley Oop Dunk | High Top Kicks | Left Handed Dribbler | Buzz Cut | Double Team Trap |
| Damian Lillard | Fast Break Spin | Striped Wristband | Right Handed Dribbler | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Sue Bird | Fast Break Spin | Neon Headband | Right Handed Dribbler | Curly High Top | Charge Block |
| Kobe Bryant | Fast Break Spin | Golden Whistle | Right Handed Dribbler | Curly High Top | Charge Block |
| Diana Taurasi | Half Court Hook | Golden Whistle | Left Handed Dribbler | Curly High Top | Charge Block |
| Caitlin Clark | Crossover Dribble | Padded Arm Sleeve | Left Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| Aja Wilson | No Look Pass | Padded Arm Sleeve | Right Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| Michael Jordan | Fast Break Spin | High Top Kicks | Right Handed Dribbler | Buzz Cut | Charge Block |
| Maya Moore | No Look Pass | Padded Arm Sleeve | Left Handed Dribbler | Buzz Cut | Double Team Trap |
| Candace Parker | No Look Pass | High Top Kicks | Left Handed Dribbler | Curly High Top | Charge Block |
| Kyrie Irving | Alley Oop Dunk | Golden Whistle | Right Handed Dribbler | Buzz Cut | Double Team Trap |
| Jimmy Butler | Fast Break Spin | Striped Wristband | Right Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| LeBron James | No Look Pass | High Top Kicks | Right Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| Steph Curry | Half Court Hook | Striped Wristband | Left Handed Dribbler | Curly High Top | Charge Block |
| Jayson Tatum | Crossover Dribble | Padded Arm Sleeve | Left Handed Dribbler | Buzz Cut | Charge Block |
| Nikola Jokic | Alley Oop Dunk | Golden Whistle | Right Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| Shaquille ONeal | Fast Break Spin | Golden Whistle | Right Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Double Team Trap |
| Devin Booker | No Look Pass | High Top Kicks | Left Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| Anthony Davis | No Look Pass | Neon Headband | Right Handed Dribbler | Braided Cornrows | Charge Block |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Half Court Hook | Padded Arm Sleeve | Left Handed Dribbler | Curly High Top | Charge Block |
Clue 1
Addition
Coach Maya totals up all the practice basketballs in the rack to reveal the first suspect note.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
10
19
3
13
14
8
11
4
T
10
4
15
8
12
T
10
17
3
14
9
4
8
6
14
8
3
12
8
19
3
14
11
13
14
8
11
5 + 5 =T
6 + 2 =N
1 + 2 =E
7 + 4 =D
9 + 6 =S
5 + 4 =R
11 + 6 =W
5 + 7 =O
3 + 1 =I
4 + 10 =A
3 + 3 =G
14 + 5 =H
3 + 10 =B
0/13 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Ref Sam subtracts the popped basketballs from the gym stack to uncover a hidden message.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
11
19
12
10
9
8
8
9
8
8
1
W
11
1
14
19
7
15
12
15
1
10
13
9
13
13
14
19
6
6
17
9
14
14 - 3 =W
20 - 1 =I
5 - 4 =A
19 - 6 =D
18 - 8 =N
19 - 2 =L
17 - 5 =T
13 - 6 =G
15 - 9 =B
15 - 6 =E
17 - 9 =S
20 - 6 =R
20 - 5 =H
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
The squad skip counts the shiny trophy cases by twos down the hall to decode the next clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
110
120
25
T
110
120
24
25
130
70
27
28
28
T
110
100
55
55
25
36
35
40
27
14
120
27
80
22
25
35
16
100
14
45
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18C
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42D
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55K
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120O
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45B
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140H
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150F
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20L
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26G
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35E
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60Y
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32S
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90W
0/18 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
Detective Jordan reads the digital scoreboard numbers to find the tens and ones in the gym vault code.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
21
99
13
A
21
11
46
71
56
13
A
21
15
46
51
A
21
64
66
30
13
77
64
99
13
A
21
11
46
66
46
51
77
13
15
13
77
40
71
What number has 2 tens and 1 one?A
What number has 9 tens and 9 ones?B
What number has 7 tens and 1 one?S
What number has 4 tens and 0 ones?W
What number has 1 ten and 3 ones?R
What number has 7 tens and 7 ones?O
What number has 5 tens and 6 ones?T
What number has 3 tens and 0 ones?F
What number has 6 tens and 6 ones?E
What number has 1 ten and 5 ones?N
What number has 1 ten and 1 one?I
What number has 5 tens and 1 one?C
What number has 6 tens and 4 ones?M
What number has 4 tens and 6 ones?D
0/14 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
Rookie Alex needs ten game cones and finds the missing amount to unlock the final evidence locker.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
3 + ___ = 5
5 + ___ = 11
8 + ___ = 19
7 + ___ = 11
4 + ___ = 5
6 + ___ = 16
6 + ___ = 14
5 + ___ = 12
4 + ___ = 13
8 + ___ = 13
6 + ___ = 9
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain faked a no look pass, then adjusted the neon headband.
2.The villain faked a no look pass, then pulled up the padded arm sleeve.
3.The villain threw an alley oop dunk, then laced up high top kicks.
4.The villain spun on a fast break spin, then laced up high top kicks.
5.The villain sank a half court hook, then laced up high top kicks.
6.The villain threw an alley oop dunk, then blew the golden whistle.
7.The villain faked a no look pass, then wiped off the striped wristband.
8.The villain executed a crossover dribble, then wiped off the striped wristband.
9.The villain threw an alley oop dunk, then adjusted the neon headband.
10.The villain spun on a fast break spin, then pulled up the padded arm sleeve.
11.The villain faked a no look pass, then laced up high top kicks.
12.The villain spun on a fast break spin, then wiped off the striped wristband.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Championship Trophy
Culprit: Jimmy Butler (Fast Break Spin · Striped Wristband · Right Handed Dribbler · Braided Cornrows · Charge Block)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE BANDIT IS NOT WEARING A NEON HEADBAND"5 + 5 = 10 (T) · 6 + 2 = 8 (N) · 1 + 2 = 3 (E) · 7 + 4 = 11 (D) · 9 + 6 = 15 (S) · 5 + 4 = 9 (R) · 11 + 6 = 17 (W) · 5 + 7 = 12 (O) · 3 + 1 = 4 (I) · 4 + 10 = 14 (A) · 3 + 3 = 6 (G) · 14 + 5 = 19 (H) · 3 + 10 = 13 (B)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "WITNESSES SAW A RIGHT HANDED DRIBBLER"14 - 3 = 11 (W) · 20 - 1 = 19 (I) · 5 - 4 = 1 (A) · 19 - 6 = 13 (D) · 18 - 8 = 10 (N) · 19 - 2 = 17 (L) · 17 - 5 = 12 (T) · 13 - 6 = 7 (G) · 15 - 9 = 6 (B) · 15 - 6 = 9 (E) · 17 - 9 = 8 (S) · 20 - 6 = 14 (R) · 20 - 5 = 15 (H)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "THE THIEF WAS STOPPED BY A CHARGE BLOCK"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (C) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (K) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (O) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (B) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140 = 120 (H) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (F) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (L) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (G) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60 = 40 (Y) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90 = 70 (W)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "A BRAID STRAND CAME FROM BRAIDED CORNROWS"What number has 2 tens and 1 one? = 21 (A) · What number has 9 tens and 9 ones? = 99 (B) · What number has 7 tens and 1 one? = 71 (S) · What number has 4 tens and 0 ones? = 40 (W) · What number has 1 ten and 3 ones? = 13 (R) · What number has 7 tens and 7 ones? = 77 (O) · What number has 5 tens and 6 ones? = 56 (T) · What number has 3 tens and 0 ones? = 30 (F) · What number has 6 tens and 6 ones? = 66 (E) · What number has 1 ten and 5 ones? = 15 (N) · What number has 1 ten and 1 one? = 11 (I) · What number has 5 tens and 1 one? = 51 (C) · What number has 6 tens and 4 ones? = 64 (M) · What number has 4 tens and 6 ones? = 46 (D)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 12) → Jimmy Butler3 + ___ = 5 = 2 · 5 + ___ = 11 = 6 · 8 + ___ = 19 = 11 · 7 + ___ = 11 = 4 · 4 + ___ = 5 = 1 · 6 + ___ = 16 = 10 · 6 + ___ = 14 = 8 · 5 + ___ = 12 = 7 · 4 + ___ = 13 = 9 · 8 + ___ = 13 = 5 · 6 + ___ = 9 = 3
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Place value, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Championship Trophy — set in Hoop City Arena
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects